POS0193-PARE TIME TO RESEARCH - STRENGTHENING PATIENT RESEARCH PARTNER 2022
Authors: S. Dordevic, M. Kosanovic
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> In Europe the role of patients is growing significantly. In Serbia it is not a case. Our aim is to create a PRP network to bring research closer to patients. Through this network, trust between rheumatologists/researchers and patients, should be increased. Looking in the countries around, Serbia has the longest waiting period for permits to introduce studies. Involving patients in research activities and their active role will provide better chances for patients to be introduced and treated with innovative drugs. Patient's perspective is important part of research, their needs, experiences and even doubts will contribute a lot to research. There are more than 70,000 people who suffer from some kind of inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) in Serbia. These diseases are significant burden for our society. There are quite a few innovative drugs in Serbia, but however, innovative drugs are still unavailable for some diagnosis such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic Sclerosis, Vasculitis, Sjogren. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aims of this EULAR campaign were for us to: - improve patients education about importance of research in order to increase the availability of innovative drugs with colaboration with Rheumatology Association of Serbia (RAS) and Serbian Association of Health Professionals in Rheumatology (SAHPR) - found national PRP network - motivate researchers to accept and involve patients in research as equal team member - encourage patients to participate/take an active role in research to increase patients' trust in studies - increase the mutual trust between patients and rheumatologists and health professionals. <h3>Methods</h3> Association of Rheumatic Diseases Patients of the Republic of Serbia now have 15 PRPs. They are members of national PRP network in Serbia. ORS improved cooperation with The Association of the manufacturers of innovative drugs INOVIA, with Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia – ALIMS, with CRA Academy. Director of the Association of Manufacturers of Innovative Medicines INOVIA, and director of CRA Academy invited us from ORS to promote the campaign "Time2Research" on their events in September and December months, ALIMS (Drug and Medical Device Agency) offered its assistance in improving the legislation for PRPs. <h3>Results</h3> Association of Rheumatic Diseases Patients of the Republic of Serbia now have 15 PRPs. They are members of national PRP network in Serbia. ORS improved cooperation with The Association of the manufacturers of innovative drugs INOVIA, with Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia – ALIMS, with CRA Academy. Director of the Association of Manufacturers of Innovative Medicines INOVIA, and director of CRA Academy invited us from ORS to promote the campaign "Time2Research" on their events in September and December months, ALIMS (Drug and Medical Device Agency) offered its assistance in improving the legislation for PRPs. <h3>Conclusion</h3> As the PRP network is a completely new institution in Serbia we have to explore all the opportunities for its implementation. We are proud that we establish a PRP network of 15 PRPs and we are making a plan how to engageas many of them as we can. We want to include our PRPs who know English well in the EULAR PRP network. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> NIL. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.